In advance of the October 6 presidential election, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on Sunday a wide-ranging cabinet reorganization including 19 ministers, including those for the economy, foreign policy, and defense.
In a statement, the president announced that Mohamed Ali Nafti will become the new minister of international affairs and Khaled Shili the new minister of defense.
Saied removed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani earlier this month and appointed Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri in his place. The interior, justice, and finance ministries were retained in their roles.
In an apparent attempt to bring in fresh blood and win over voters, the cabinet shuffle coincides with a financial crisis and general unhappiness over frequent power and water outages in many areas of the nation as well as a lack of certain items and medications.
Saied, who shut down the elected parliament in 2021 and solidified his hold on power, is vying for reelection against two opponents.
Human rights organizations and opposition parties in Tunisia have charged that the government utilized coercion and “arbitrary restrictions” to keep candidates out of the election and allow Saied to be reelected.